Two-part cellular carton for eggs and similar fragile objects



Sept. 7,1937. H. E. BRUNDIN 2,091,959

TWO-PART CELLULAR CARTON FOR EGGS AND SIMILAR FRAGILE OBJECTS Filed June 12, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet l ammo/mica Haro'ZdEiBrundiza,

aw Z2 9;

Sept. 7, 1937. H. E. BRUNDIN 2,091,959

I TWO PART CELLULAR CARTON FOR EGGS AND SIMILAR FRAGILE OBJECTS s Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 12, 1935 w a m m M m H C1302 may Sept. 7, 1937. H. E. BRUNDIN TWO-PART CELLULAR CARTON FOR EGGS AND SIMILAR FRAGILE OBJECTS Filed June 12, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I D i 32-? HaroZdl'ZBrundilu gflm Patented Sept. 7, i937 PATENT OFFICE TWO -PART CELLULAR CARTON FOR EGGS AND SIMELAR FRAGILE OBJECTS Harold lil Erundin, Longview, Wash, assignor to ilharles F. Schaub, Longview, Wash.

Application June 12, 1935, Serial No. 26,265 8 Claims. (01. 229-29) My present invention relates to cartons made from cardboard or similar material and adapted for the holding and transportation of eggs or similar fragile objects. It has for. its object to produce a carton of this nature which is of cellular construction, that is to say having pockets, compartments or cells constructed to each accommodate a single object in such manner as to protect the same during handling and transporm tation of the filled carton. To that end the carton comprises two essential parts, an outer protecting case portion comprising side walls and a bottom and an inner filler constituting the cells for the individual objects; these two parts being arranged so that the eggs or other objects are supported individually by elastic or yielding object-contacting walls which walls in turn are spaced from the side walls and bottom of the outer covering so that shocks from the outside of the carton are not communicated directly and with destructive eiiect to the eggs or other objects. I am aware that egg cartons having characteristics thus far specified are old in the art broadly considered, and my present invention has for its purpose to improve such cartons rendering them more simple in construction, durable in character, convenient in operation in the setting up or assembling of the parts of the carton,

in safety afforded to the objects being supported and carried, and in appearance as a complete object.

A carton constructed according to my invention is made of two independent blanks which are shaped, scored and cut in the manner that will be hereinafter described, so that they are adapted for interconnecting union and support to produce the complete article, as will be hereinai'ter described and as illustrated in the ac companying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a carton made according to my present invention, the parts being assembled but theouter cover portion being open to afford access to the cells for the insertion or removal of the objects;

closing cover members thereof closed;

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the carton;

- Fig. 4 represents the two essential parts of the carton as they appear at one step or stage in their assembly;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the two parts or blanks of the carton after having been assembled as indicated in Fig. 4, and then folded into flat condition for shipment;

Fig. 2 is an end View of the carton with the en- Fig. 6 is an end View of the parts when in the position indicated in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional View, on a larger scale than the views thus far described, of the complete carton assembled and closed;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the integral blank from which are formed the outer protecting or case portion of the carton and also the transverse walls or partitions of the filler portion thereof; and

Fig. 9 is a plan View of another blank from which are formed those parts of the filler that constitute the side and bottom walls of the individual egg-supporting cells.

Referring to the drawings, A indicates the blank from which are formed the outer protecting case of the carton and also the transverse partitions of the filler portion thereof.

Referring particularly to Fig. 8, which illustrates this blank and wherein the scoring to facilitate bending of the several parts is indicated by dotted lines and the cutting of the blank by full lines, 2 indicates the longitudinal central portion of the blank which is constructed to form a series of pads or feet for supporting the carton and also carries the transverse partitions 9 separating the cells of the filler portion of the carton. On either side of this central portion of the blank are wings constituting the outer side walls 3, 3' of the case and the cover, the latter being preferably formed of two parts 4, 4'. Score lines 30 separate the parts 3 and 4 and 3 and 4.

5, 5' indicate longitudinal cuts partially separating those parts of the central section 2 that constitute the individual transverse partitions 9 from the side wall sections 3, 3 on either side thereof. 6, 6 are a series of short score lines between and in alignment with the cuts 5, and 5 respectively. The bases of the partitions 9 are separated from the portions i5, I5 of the bottom, that constitute the pads or feet by which the carton is supported, by score lines 29, 29', upon which lines such partitions hinge when turned from their position in the plane of the flat blank as represented in Fig. 8 to their upright position, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 7.

The transverse partitions 9 are completed by transverse cuts 8 of sinuous shape designed to give to the partitions the desired outline, such cuts extending from one longitudinal cut 5 across to the corresponding cut 5. The shape of the cuts 8 is such as to form the free edge of each partition 9 into a pair of arms l0, l0 separated by a space 3|.

Other transverse cuts ll between the arms I0,

' parts serving to hold it serve to complete the severing of pieces, which are cut out from the blank and discarded, thus leaving central projections 32 along the base edges of the partitions.

l3, it are standards at the side edges of the partitions, which serve as upwardly extending rests or supports against which the side walls 3 and 3' are folded when the box is erected and closed as indicated in Fig. 2.

I, l indicate transverse cuts extending from the ends of the standards l3, l3 inwardly until they reach the cut 8, these serving to complete the supporting feet or pads l5, l5 and also to sever pieces that are discarded, so as to form spaces 28, 23 located between the standards l3, l3, and the main central portions of the transverse partitions 9. The cuts 8 are sinuous and so shaped as to form hooks l2, E2 on the inner edges of the arms it, ill, and other hooks M, M on the inner edges of the standards l3, it. One of the cover sections, 3, is provided with an extension formed at its ends with tuck projections adapted to engage with slits or openings 34, provided therefor in the cover section 5, these the cover sections together when the box is closed, as represented in Fig. 7.

This cover arrangement is that which I prefer, but is not an essential part of the present invention, it being readily seen that the entire cover could be carried by one of the side sections. That would not make so convenient and well-balanced a complete article, but is entirely possible.

The blank B, Fig. 9, is shaped, scored and cut to be inserted within the case formed by the blank A when set up, and serves to complete, in connection with the cross partitions t, the intericr cellular construction constituting the filler of the carton. The blank is rectangular in shape and is divided by a number of longitudinal score lines l5, H, ll, E8 and E8. The score line i5 is centrally located dividing the carton into two similar parts. On either side of this line, and parallel therewith, is a score line, these two being respectively designated El and Il, while outside of these are other, and parallel, score lines 18 and it. When the blank is folded and associated with the blank A, as represented in Figs. 1 and 2, the parts thereof between the center score line it and the score line H", ll at the sides thereof constitute sections 59, 59' that serve as the center or inner walls of the individual cells for the eggs or other objects. The portions, 25, 2% of the blank, located between the score lines ll and 58, ill and it, respectively, constitute the bottoms of the individual cells, while the remaining sections of the blank, outside the lines it and E8 and between them and the edges of the blank, constitute the outer side walls 2|, 2| of the cells of the filler.

The blank B is provided with two sets of transverse slots 23, 23, so located that the cross partitions 9 may pass through them in a well-known manner as indicated in Figs. 5 and 7. Between the inner ends of the slots 23, 23 are openings 22 formed in those portions, 35, of the blank that serve to unite the center or inner walls of the cells next adjacent to each other, and beyond the outer ends of these slots and in line therewith are other openings 2t, 25'.

When the carton is to be assembled, as represented in Figs. 1, 2 and. 7, the blanks A, B are first superposed as represented in Figs. 5 and 6, with the arms 95, iii of the transverse partitions extending through the slots 23, 23. To accomplish this the transverse partitions 9 of the blank A are lifted, from the flat arrangement represented in Figure 8, into parallelism with each other, and while thus maintained, the blank B, having been folded so that the central parts l9, l9 thereof are brought quite close together, is slipped over the blank A, the arms It, l passing respectively through slots 23, 23', and the portions 35 of the central parts l9, E9 of the blank passing through the throats 3! between the arms and entering the enlarged cut-outs or recesses 27, below the hooks l2, l2; whereupon the blank B is opened out into about the position represented in Figure 4, so the parts 35 thereof will lie and be maintained below the hooks I 2, l2, the blanks A and B thus becoming interlocked and are held together. The two blanks may now be brought into the superposed substantially parallel relationship represented in Figures and 6 by turning down the transverse partitions, they swinging upon the score lines 29, 29 as hinges. In making these movements the blanks shift their positions longitudinally, relative to each other, as is apparent, particularly by reference to and comparison of Figures 5 and 1, the latter indicating that when the carton is set up the end edges of the two blanks are located respectively in the same vertical planes.

The parts of the carton are thus far assembled, and thus far only, until it is desired to set up and complete the carton for use. Figs. 5 and 6 represent the carton partially assembled and from these views it will be seen that the parts lie fiat and are sufficiently united and held together to prevent disarrangement and are in position to permit the easy completion of the carton.

The next step in such completion is represented in Fig. 4 which indicates that the carton B has been lifted from the position, with relation to carton A, indicated in Fig. 5, at the same time swinging the cross partitions with it upon the hinge lines '29, 29. This is readily accomplished by reason of the fact that the portions of the blank B between the inner ends of the slots 23, 23 lie below the hooks 12, I2 of the arms of the transverse partitions.

The next step in the assembly of the blanks into a complete carton is to bend the blank B on the score lines I6, H, ll, l8, l3, carrying the parts I9, I9, 20, 223, and 2!, which constitute the individual cell walls of the filler section of the carton, into the positions they finally occupy as represented in Figure 7. When this folding has taken place the side walls of the outer case 3, 3 may be folded up against the standards l3, l3 and the top pieces l, l folded over and united completing the carton, as represented in Fig. 7. During these manipulations the edges of the blank B, at the inner ends of the slots 23, 25' on either side of the score line It, are caused to engage with the bottom of the space 3! between the arms of the cross walls or partitions, thus serving to support the inner walls of the cells and those parts of the bottom thereof that are united thereto. The hooks l2, E2 of the arms of the transverse partitions extend more or less into the openings 22 through the blank B and thus produce an interlocking engagement, holding the parts against accidental separation. It will also be seen by reference to Fig. 7, that the hooks M, It on the standards l3, l3 enter the openings 24, 24 in the blank B and serve to hold and lock in position the side walls of the cells which are held supported on the cross partitions by the engagement of the walls at the outer ends of the slots with the cross partitions in the lower part of the notches between the main body of the partitions and the standards thereof.

The use of the hooks l2, l2 and l4, 14 with the associated openings; 22, 24, 24 in the blank B are desirable, but are not an essential part of the present invention.

When the parts are assembled as thus described, the free edges of the side walls 2|, M of the filler rest in the angles between the upper edges of the side walls and the covers 4 being held thereby securely in proper position.

It will be seen that the individual objects placed in the cells of the filler of the carton are supported by the side walls and bottoms thereof which are resilient by reason of their manner of support by the transverse partitions. But to make these walls the more resilient I prefer to cut the side walls of the cells as indicated at 25 and the inner walls thereof in a similar manner or in the manner as indicated at 26. These cuts do not seriously impair the strength of the filler and they add to the resiliency of the supporting walls that come into direct engagement with the objects being carried.

It will be observed that by an arrangement such as has been described, the parts of the carton may be shipped in flat condition partly assembled, so as to maintain such relationship as will permit them to be easily folded and shaped into a complete carton and that when such completion is desired, as when the carton is to be filled and used, the erection of the parts and their association can be easily affected either by hand or by the use of simple machinery or devices. When the parts of the carton are thus assembled in flat condition the central parts 35 of the blank B, connecting the cell walls of adjacent partitions, occupy the expanded portions of the cut cuts 21 below the hooks I2, l2 and the narrow throats constituting the entrances into such portions of the cut outs, as

represented in Fig. 5. The cross dimensions of these connecting parts of the blank, that is the distance between the inner ends of the slots 23, 23, is approximately equal to the. greatest transverse dimension of the cut outs with the result that the portions of such connecting parts on either side of the openings 22 are below the hooks l2, [2 thus effecting an interlock between the parts, holding them in proper relationship while in the flat pack assembly condition represented in Figs. and 6.

The several parts of the carton mutually support one another and accomplish this without the use of means permanently uniting them, such as by gluing, stapling, or in other similar ways that have heretofore been resorted to.

This is of practical advantage because when gluing is resorted to to hold the parts of egg cartons in position much dissatisfaction .and inconvenience is experienced by reason of the glued together parts separating while in storage, especially when stored in damp places, while stapling adds to the cost of production and is otherwise undesirable.

When the carton is set up, the free edges of the wing portions 2!, 2| of the blank B occupy positions at the upper edges of the outer carton walls, resting in the angles between such walls and the cover parts 4, 4. Thence they extend downwardly and inwardly to the inner portions of the feet l5, l5 of the carton, upon the upper surfaces of which the said wing portions rest. This insures the inner side walls being spaced. from the outer carton side walls, where they are maintained by engagement with the standards, l3, l3, of the transverse partitions, with which they have interlocking engagement.

The complete carton herein described and illustrated has many features in common with the carton constituting the subject matter of my co-pending application, filed December 12, 1934, Ser. No. 757,231, and the novel features common to the two cartons are claimed in said application. The carton herein illustrated is formed of two separate blanks A and B as has been described, while that in my said other application is made from a single, unitary or one-piece blank.

Having described my invention, what I claim 1. A carton for fragile objects comprising an outer protecting case and an inner cellular filler, made from two separate blanks scored and cut so they may be assembled and united to make the complete carton, one integral blank forming the side walls and bottom of the outer case and the transverse partitions of the filler, and the other integral blank forming the side walls and bottoms of the cells of the filler, these being interlocked with the cross partitions of the first mentioned blank to permit the blanks being folded fiat one on the other while remaining in-- terlocked, and before the carton is erected into complete set up condition.

2. A cellular carton for eggs and the like formed of two independentblanks, one a blank cut and scored to have a central longitudinal bottom portion which is out along longitudinal and transverse lines to form a series of partitions adapted to be bent up at right angles to the bottom to form the dividing partitions between the cells of the carton when the latter is finally set up and having along the opposite sides of such bottom. section wing parts adapted to form the sides of the carton; and another blank scored to fold in its middle and slotted on either side of the score so as to straddle and have interlocking engagement with the transverse partitions of the other blank, the portions between the slots constituting the side walls and bottoms of the cells of the carton, the said interlocking engagements of the two blanks being arranged to permit the blanks to fold one superposed over the other to form a flat pack, without disturbing such, interlocking.

3. A cellular carton for eggs and the like formed of two independent blank parts adapted to be brought together in interlocking and sup-- porting engagement, to constitute an outer case and an. inner cellular filler, one part being cut, scored and bent to form a supporting bottom, transverse partitions rising therefrom, outer front and rear side walls and a top or cover, and the other blank part being cut, scored and bent to form transverse supports located between the partitions for the objects placed in the cells of the carton, and comprising inner front and rear walls and, the bottoms of the cells, such object supports having interlocking and supporting engagement with the cross partitions and arranged to permit the partitions. to turn on their hinges after being interlocked with the other blank to form a flat pack with the two blanks shifted longitudinally relative to each other, and/ or to turn up. into parallel relationship with each other with the other section parts arranged to form the object-supporting cell walls.

4. A cellular carton for eggs having two parallel longitudinal rows of cells and formed with double side walls spaced apart and with trans- Verse partitions separating the cells in the rows, the same being formed from two independent blanks, one blank constructed to constitute the outer carton side walls, transverse rests or feet for the carton, and the transverse partitions which are integral with such feet, and the other blank constructed to complete the cells between the transverse partitions and form the side walls, the bottoms, and center walls thereof, the center walls of transversely adjacent cells being in clined relative to each other in the form of an inverted V, spaced apart to constitute the longitudinal partition between the rows of cells and the side cell walls of such second blank having their free edges located in engagement with the upper edges of the outer side walls of the first named blank and extending thence downwardly and inwardly to the feet of the said carton, upon which they rest.

5. A cellular carton such as described in claim 4, including also means that maintain the side walls of the carton and the side walls of the cells in spaced apart relationship to each other.

6. A cellular carton for eggs having two parallel longitudinal rows of cells and formed with double side Walls spaced apart and with transverse partitions separating the cells in the rows, thesarne being formed from two independent blanks, one blank constructed to constitute the outer carton side walls, transverse rests or feet for the carton, and the transverse partitions which are integral with such feet, the transverse partitions being formed at their center upper portions with cut outs, the lower parts of which are expanded below hooks arranged to constitute narrow throat-like entrances into said expanded portions, and the other blank constructed to complete the cells between the transverse partitions and to form the supporting walls thereof, and slotted transversely to permit the transverse partitions to pass through the slots, the center supporting walls of the cells being inclined relative to each other in inverted V--forrn to form a central longitudinal partition between the rows of cells, the inner cell walls of the longitudinal contiguous cells being united by connecting pieces between the said slots, the Width of such connecting pieces being greater than the width of the throats leading into the cut outs in the transverse partitions and approximating the width of the expanded portions of the cut outs, this arrangement permitting the parts of the carton to be partially assembled and thus formed into a fiat pack with the connecting parts located in the expanded portions of the cut cuts.

7. A carton for fragile objects comprising an outer protecting case and an inner cellular fillor made from two independent or separate blanks to facilitate assembly for transportation and storage and the final erection into the complete carton, the blanks being scored and out so they may be assembled and united to constitute first a flat pack, and finally a completed cellular carton-one of the integral blanks serving to form the side walls and bottom of the outer case and also the transverse partitions of the filler, and the other integral blank forming the side walls and bottoms of the cells of the filler, the latter blank being slit to fit over the transverse partitions and to interlock therewith in an intermediate position with the two blanks lying superposed in substantially parallel planes, but shifted longitudinally one relative to the other from the final position of the blanks occupied when the carton is completed, thus forming a flat pack for shipment and storage prior to the final completion of the carton.

A cellular carton comprising a series of transverse partitions hingedly united to side pieces that constitute the outer side walls of the carton, such partitions being arranged to be turned on their inge connections into parallel relationship wit;v ach other, these parts constituting a single unitary blank, and a separate filler blank is iongitudinally centrally foldable is transve titions of the nrst mentioned blank when these are brought into parallel relationship, the central "tions being constructed to permit inter-connecting eng emen when the filler blank is folded together at its center, and to such engagements when the filler blank is brought out into fiat condition after such engagement, thus permitting the partitions to be turned down into substantial parallelism with the side Walls to which they are hinged and carrying with them the said filler blank to be superposed on the first named blank thus forming a flat pack, and the filler blank being arranged to be folded longitudinally to lie between the transverse partitions to constitute the side walls and bottoms of the individual cells when the partitions are turned up into parallel relationship.

maintain HAROLD E. BRUNDIN.

ely slotted to receive the said parportions of the filler blank and the transverse 

